About the Oakland B&O Railroad Museum

Historic red brick train station with tower and sign reading "Oakland".

A Storied Legacy in Stone

Built in 1884 and designed by distinguished architects Baldwin & Pennington, our depot is one of the nation’s most striking examples of Queen Anne railroad architecture. Nestled in the heart of Oakland, Maryland, the station played a pivotal role in establishing the town—and Garrett County—as a prominent resort and rail hub. Recognized for its heritage, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.

A large, old steam locomotive being moved with a crane during a public event, with people surrounding it.

Restoration Fueled by Preservation & Community

Rescued from disuse and acquired by the city in 1998, the station was transformed through an authentic restoration in 2000. Restoring original roofing materials, period paint colors, and exquisite stained-glass details returned this architectural treasure to its 19th-century grandeur. Community-driven efforts—supported by local stakeholders and the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority—continue to elevate the museum’s standard of preservation and programming.

Aerial view of a small town with a historic train station, surrounding parking lot, and colorful buildings.

A Museum of Railroading

Outside, you’ll find restored rolling stock to explore:

  • B&O locomotive No. 476, a classic Consolidation-type steam engine built in 1920, acquired with its tender in 2018

  • Caboose C‑2884

  • A green boxcar that houses the End of the Line Bookstore

Inside you’ll find:

  • Rotating exhibits that celebrate both local railroad heritage and loaned collections from the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore

Yellow Victorian-style building with a porch, green shutters, and a red door, labeled Deer Park Hotel, with a well-maintained lawn in front.

Where Learning Meets Community

Proudly located among Oakland’s cultural institutions, we complement the nearby Garrett County Historical Society Museum and the Garrett County Museum of Transportation.

Historic brick train station with turret, arched windows, and a sign reading 'Oakland'.
Night view of a historic brick train station with arched windows and roof, illuminated by lights, with snow on the ground.
A vintage train station in a snowy rural setting, with a red train caboose and a blue locomotive passing by, surrounded by snow-covered ground and leafless trees.
A large steam engine being lifted or moved outdoors by a crane. Several people are around the engine, which is partly painted black and grey, with a brick building and blue sky in the background.
Four adults and a child stand around a wooden desk with shelves, in a room with light-colored walls and hardwood flooring.
Yellow multi-story hotel with green shutters, white trim, and a red door, named Deer Park Hotel, with a front porch and a grassy lawn.
Vintage cars parked along a street during a car show, with people walking and observing in a small town setting.

The Town of Oakland owns the grounds and the station building. The Oakland Heritage Community Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the betterment of the Town of Oakland, operates the museum and owns and maintains the rolling stock.